Freedom from diversions at W.T.C. A month after the war in Iraq began, the governor at the time, George Pataki, came to Lower Manhattan and gave a hopeful speech about getting World Trade Center rebuilding plans on track — sound familiar? — and said Daniel Libeskind’s proposed 1,776-foot-tall building would open in 2008 and be called “Freedom Tower.”

Letters to the EditorTalking PointThe Obama children are getting a green education By Ethan Goffman
First daughters Malia and Sasha Obama may be part of a new generation of “sustainability natives.” The term refers to those “who think and do naturally” what their parents will always find a bit unusual, according to Rachel Gutter, senior manager of the school sector for the U.S. Green Building Council, or U.S.G.B.C.

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V.I.D. gets view of candidates for D.A., Council, comptroller
By Ed Gold
Councilmembers Alan Gerson and Christine Quinn were on the receiving end of verbal blows from opponents running against them in the First and Third Council districts, respectively, at a political forum sponsored by Village Independent Democrats last Thursday evening.

Trompe l’oeil muralist warily eyes new Soho project
By Patrick Hedlund
A famous Soho mural vandalized by graffiti last summer might be facing another threat — this time from a developer looking to construct a building next door that would effectively mute the 1975 artwork.

Judson Church will celebrate Moody’s birthday, launch book
By Albert Amateau
Judson Memorial Church will celebrate the birthday of the Reverend Howard Moody, 88, minister emeritus, who served the church on Washington Square South for more than three turbulent decades, with an April 16 launching of his book, “A Voice in the Village: A Journey of a Pastor and a People.”

Residents demand a rezoning for part of Washington St.
By Albert Amateau
At least 150 Village residents met on Monday to demand a rezoning of six blocks in the Far West Village to prevent what they fear is impending high-rise development, including hotels and dorms, in a low-rise, mixed-use neighborhood.

Unity on renaming Union Square Park playground for Evelyn Strouse
By Albert Amateau
The Union Square Partnership, sponsor of the redesign of the north end of Union Square Park, has urged the Department of Parks and Recreation to name the new playground currently under construction in honor of Evelyn Strouse, who died in January at the age of 92.

Koch on FilmBy Ed KochEverlasting Moments (+) In Swedish, with English subtitles. The film, which begins before World War I, tells the story of a poor family in Sweden. As I watched it, I thought about East of Eden  the wonderful epic starring James Dean.Goodbye Solo (-) It happened again. I decided to see a film based on another critics very positive review.

Italian Americans and Yesterdays Greenwich VillageBy Christine Palamidessi Moore
The boho-beatnik, boutique, food and folk music scenes of Greenwich Village have made indelible marks in the imagination of people everywhere. Less reknowned are the Italian-American immigrants who lived in the area around Washington Square and the stories about their lives, love, and rabbletrousing.

Troubles All AroundBy Steve Erickson
Steve McQueen isnt your typical debut filmmaker. He began as a video artist, creating work like the Buster Keaton-inspired Deadpan, as well as an uncompleted project of postage stamps commemorating all the British soldiers killed in the Iraq War.

Illusion, mystique and plain beauty in sparkling paintingsBy Jeffrey Cyphers Wright
America has three super myths  the frontier, the racial mix and the belief that anybody can be somebody. Were informed and fascinated by all three. Their intersection is our most potent avenue to metaphor and metamorphism.